2046 Chicago Black Sox Preview

[FuzzyRawley]

The Black Sox are back at it again with their, gonna-make-the -layoffs-but-get-stymied-by-another-Heartland-team approach. 2045 saw the Sox improve their wins from 88 to 95 (and their budget increase by ~$15 million at the same time). This has been a solid 6ish-year upward trajectory for the Sox so if they can keep it up, maybe a Heartland Pennant is in their future.

First up though, we need to see what’s changed this offseason and for the most part, it looks like Chicago stood pat, opting to let a few players go, but staying quiet with FA’s and trades.

Gone are:

CF Niccolo Machiavelli
SS Jaime 'Wolverine' Ramirez
LF William Wood

Chicago opted to release or not extend these three players and it looks like these were pragmatic choices because Chicago has better players already at each of these positions. All in all, if injuries stay away, this Sox team looks to have another winning season on its hands.

The starting rotation is anchored by Amayas Moelling who is coming of an All Star season but who’s numbers took a minor dip from his career-year 2044 season. Hopefully for the Sox, that dip isn’t the start of a descent for the 27-year old left-hander. After Moelling, Chicago’s number 2 guy is the 21-year old righty Bernie Stuart. Stuart, from Sarnia, Ontario (a place in Canada that can only be described as “Well, its not Cleveland”) is coming off his 1st season in the BBA. In 2045 he only started 7 games and pitched 38 innings, but those were solid innings. Stuart had a sub-1 WHIP, 2.36 FIP and accumulated a 1.6 WAR in that limited use. In September, he looked like he was improving his command and if that trend continues in 2046, an All Star/Award season could be his fate.

The 3, 4 and 5 starters will likely be McClain (John of the Yippie Ki Yay), Tameiro and Bates and like all teams of Chicago’s calibre, what the back end of the rotation does, will likely be the difference between a pennant and a playoff spot. If Chicago opts to go with a 6-man rotation this season, then the 30-year old Pancho German will get those starts but could likely be used more in a spot starting role to give a rest to the other SP’s in tough stretches.

The bullpen will be anchored in the late innings by Mitchell Purssell who wasn’t as dominant in 2045 when compared to 2044, but any BBA team would love to have this Letterkenny native on their squad (allegedly). With Gilberto Sosa and Adolph Friedek setting up Pursell, once Chicago gets a late-inning lead, it will be a tough grind for opponents to claw back.

At Catcher, the 2046 Sox have 27-year old Pedro Gomez, who came over in May 2045 from Portland in exchange for prospects. Gomez made the All Star team in 2045 and was in the running for both Silver Slugger and a Golden Glove. He’s clearly a player that Chicagoans love to have.

1B is another position of strength for the Sox with Aaroud Budding winning a Silver Slugger in 2045. Budding had a career year in 2045 with a 147 WRC+ and a 3.8 WAR. This Dutchman’s contract is up in 2046 and it will be interesting to see how Chicago handles him. If he keeps it up, someone’s gonna pay him.

2B is once again the domain of the masher Rocky Wattson who had another career year in 2045. The 27-year old Canadian is signed through 2051 and will likely be well above replacement level for many years to come.

SS Larry Barkin is the one player who looks to be out of place in this lineup, but if his glove lives up to billing, then Chicago will be happy to live with less offensive production here.

Rounding out the infield are 3B's Jose Benavidez and Tomas Duran. Duran will see most of his games at DH since the ball will be needed to be hit right at him for his glove to be and advantage. Benavidez is quite capable here and if he can just bat at replacement level, then the Sox will be happy to have him back.

The outfield did surprisingly well in 2045, not that they would be expected to stink. Of all the components of this ball club, they are the one that could be classified as only above average. Dan Flores had a career year at CF at the plate once he came over to Chicago from Mexico, although he seemed to struggle a bit defensively in his new surroundings. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him improve that now that he has a better handle on Black Sox stadium and the Lake Michigan winds.

LF will be platooned by Hao Hang and Paul Kemp. Kemp is certainly capable against left handers, but Hang didn’t live up to his end of the bargain against righties in 2045. Neither player instills a lot of confidence in the field, so this could be an obvious area to upgrade before the trade deadline if Chicago is once again in the mix.

RF is the sole domain of Sebastian Fradesso, who bats well above replacement level and won’t turn any heads in the field, but hasn’t been god awful.

Based simply on the fact that the Sox haven’t changed much in 2046 compared to 2045, another 90+ season looks likely. If the Heartland’s perennial leaders, Yellow Springs and Louisville, show signs of digression, it might be the year that Chicago trades away some farm pieces and goes for it. LF and 3B would be the obvious choices, but hey, can never have enough good pitching either.

Finally, I hope you get a chance to read this before the season starts Vic...we all hope you get well soon.